Though most of my computing is done on Linux I have Windows too.   Amongst other things needed for workshop software including Solid Edge, Smaths Studio, and a bunch of radio hobby software.

I often explore Solid Edge on my workshop laptop in front of the telly, and the poor old thing is noticeably slow: 10 years old, Windows 10, 8Gb slowish RAM, 2.4GHz wifi, indifferent graphics, and a hard-drive. Browsing, office, programming Arduinos all acceptable, sluggish with SE and some other software, becoming annoying.

Decided to buy a new one!  Nothing stellar, CPU up to 4x faster, 16Gb fast RAM, SSD, improved wifi and graphics.  Found a suitable machine to meet my needs was available from my nearest Curry’s, price same as best on internet, so bought it.

Instructions said install ‘must have an internet connection’, the machine wan’t ready to go out of the box.   Anyway, plugged in, and it spent about 40 minutes downloading and installing.   Happy with that as a way of getting the latest software, other than there is no choice.  Depending on often better to start with a slightly out of date operating system and update the software later using the normal update process.

The install went to plan until it reached Microsoft’s part!  Microsoft have changed Windows 11 so that it will not install unless the owner sets up a Microsoft Account.   The set-up collects private data, most of it unnecessary, and extremely annoying if one has no use for a Microsoft Account.   B*st*rds,  I thought.  But I went along with it.

Then the real trouble started.   Creating the account failed.   Having taken the email address, Microsoft set up the account, but did not recognise it thereafter.  So now I have a Microsoft Account that doesn’t work and can’t be deleted. Had to find another email address.  That failed in the same way – no error message, just refused.  Microsoft’s online help has nothing sensible to offer, nor do they provide an obvious contact point.

I set up a Microsoft Account via the browser, which turned into another intelligence test.   The set-up includes a solve a graphical puzzle security check that Firefox wouldn’t display.  Good job I own another Windows machine with Edge.   Appeared to work, except the activation code they emailed me wasn’t accepted either online or by the laptop install.  Attempting to reset the password locked the account for, I think 2 weeks.  I was plunged into a broken security maze, nasty.  As forcing users to have a Microsoft Account is new, I guess it’s buggy.

Despite knowing a Microsoft Account is unnecessary,  I decided to take the laptop back to Curry’s and let them sort it.  Top marks to them, I was not the first customer with this problem on the latest W11, and they knew what to do.  Briefly:

• Allow the installer to download until it gets to the Microsoft’s broken set-up
• Disconnect from the internet
• Open a terminal window and type in a magic incantation.  (oobe \bypassnro.  Descibed on the web)  It adds an option to the Microsoft account dialogue.   Worryingly, the linked article notes that Microsoft are working to block the various ways by which the need for an account can be bypassed.
• Reboot the machine. (not connected)
• When the install reaches Microsoft’s broken dialogue, it offers a ‘I do not have an Internet Connection’ option.  Clicking that, proceeds to set W11 up with local accounts, which is exactly what I wanted in the first place.

Pleased to find the computer had not been stuffed full of bloatware by Acer.   Less pleased to find that Microsoft see fit to default to a load of extras I don’t want.  This is a workshop computer, and I don’t need to know what NASDAQ is doing, or any of the other widgets,  So turning these off and getting rid of Edge and 3 or 4 other Microsoft push services is ongoing.

Be warned, not only are Microsoft forcing an unwanted, unnecessary account on new W11 installations, but their implementation is faulty.  If it works, owners get a user account system managed by Microsoft in the cloud that they probably don’t need.  Worse, the system gives Microsoft activity and other information users might wish to keep private.  I do on principle.  If Microsoft’s install is bypassed so W11 uses local accounts instead, then the owner controls security, there is no dependency on Microsoft in the cloud, and the computer doesn’t leak information to them.

Windows 11 isn’t radically different to W10.   Silly things like “where’s the power-off button gone?” rather than major relearning.   But the way Microsoft force change on their customers is obnoxious.  Again!   I am now extremely unwilling to upgrade my other Windows 10 computers to Windows 11.   Microsoft have fouled the nest!  Interesting to see if this is challenged legally: in the past similar methods  ended with huge fines for Microsoft in US, European and other jurisdictions.  Most of the world is tough on monopolies.

Although sorting out the mess wasted several hours of my time, I’m pleased with the new computer.   Solid Edge looks better on screen, and it’s markedly nippy compared with the old one.

Dave